Keywords
Nasal decongestants
Students
Vasoconstrictors agents
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of medical students in a city in the interior of Minas Gerais about the organic complications and the propensity to rebound effect resulting from the abusive use of these medications. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, with data analysis and bibliographic foundation. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires, after approval by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: There is a high rate of self-medication with nasal decongestants (47.2%) and a lack of awareness of their side effects, even among health science students. The first year has the highest rate of students using nasal decongestants on medical advice, but it is also the period with the highest percentage of use among the students in the course. Additionally, allergic rhinitis is the medical condition most frequently leading to the use of nasal decongestants. Conclusion: It is concluded that, regarding medical students' knowledge of side effects, only 23.62% claim to be aware of adverse effects, with tachycardia and dependency being the most cited. As it is a medical condition without severe involvement, even health science students do not seek medical advice nor inform themselves about the active ingredients, facilitating the development of complications due to indiscriminate use.
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